Remember that time a German submarine shelled Massachusetts?

[TexasTowelie]

I missed this article yesterday when it marked the 100 year anniversary of the event. However, I thought the article was interesting so I wanted to share it.


ORLEANS, Mass. (AP) — Over 3,000 miles from the trenches and battlefields of the Western Front, where many hundreds of thousands had already died, residents of Orleans, Massachusetts, were enjoying a typical summer morning on July 21, 1918, waiting for the fog to lift off the shore.

Then suddenly, a German U-156 submarine broke the surface and brought World War I home. Orleans became the only part of the United States to be shelled by the enemy. For a brief moment, "over there" had become "over here."

Just after 10.30 a.m., the heavy thump of something hitting land signaled the first attack on American soil in 100 years.

"I don't know if it was the first shot or the sound of my feet hitting the floor," the late Ruben Hopkins, then a 22-year-old guard at Orleans' lifesaving station No. 40, recalled in a recording. "I was out of my bunk up there in seconds flat."

Read more: https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/remember-that-time-a-german-submarine-shelled-massachusetts/article_1672b581-5de2-5b25-9ad7-491fd19502ff.html

[lapfog_1]

1. My father, a WWII destroyer fire control officer

was awarded an "American Theater battle ribbon" which was classified under the official secrets act.

His destroyer depth charged and sunk a German U-boat IN New York Harbor, in between Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty Island.

The Navy never officially claimed the action as they did not want to spook the public into a panic.

For his entire time post war when he was in the reserves and was in his dress uniform (usually for inspection by some Admiral or other),the visiting officer would ask him about the battle ribbon and he would have to answer "that's classified, sir"

https://cdna1.zoeysite.com/Adzpo594RQGDpLcjBynL1z/cache=expiry:31536000/compress/

[murielm99]

2. That is wonderful.

You have a right to be proud.

BTW, your link did not work for me. But that's okay. I love your dad's story.

[brer cat]

4. Wow!

A story for generations of your family. Thanks for sharing that history with us.

[flotsam]

5. Your link failed

If your Dad's boat was the Fowler DE222 I found a bit about it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_submarine_U-869

[magicarpet]

3. You find such interesting stuff....

[TexasTowelie]

7. Thanks.

I have a lot of varied interests so when I see an article about something unusual like this story I value it since I'm learning something.

[flotsam]

6. Working link for OP

https://journaltimes.com/news/national/remember-that-time-a-german-submarine-shelled-massachusetts/article_a5380327-8a13-55ad-af6b-efade7429c0d.html